The Mantua Greenway rendering.

Here’s an opportunity for local artists to help create public art in West Philadelphia’s Mantua neighborhood. Mt. Vernon Manor CDC and the Friends of the Mantua Greenway are seeking a qualified team of artists to work on public art installations along the future Mantua Greenway site, a new bike and walking trail. The project includes the design, creation, and installation of three community-supported, semi-permanent elements that “will inspire curiosity and foster engagement with the Mantua Greenway project during its construction phases,” according to the project description. 

When completed, the Mantua Greenway will help revitalize a mile-long stretch of Mantua Avenue and North 40th Street. The Mantua Greenway project was inspired by the efforts of neighborhood resident Ms. Bessie Washington, who created a memorial garden along Mantua Avenue at 35th Street to honor her parents (pictured right). The vision for a greater greenway project emerged during the creation of Mount Vernon Manor’s We Are Mantua! Neighborhood Transformation Plan in 2012.

The proposed greenway will follow Mantua Avenue and Parrish Street from the Spring Garden Bridge at 31st Street to the 40th Street Bridge, and potentially continue along 40th Street to Fairmount Park. It will provide residents and those living outside the community with improved access to the Schuylkill River Trail, Fairmount Park, the Art Museum, and the Zoo.

Philadelphia artists of all backgrounds are invited to respond to this open call. The selected artist team will receive an honorarium to support their work, independent of project costs, of $10,000. The deadline to submit applications is Wednesday, Oct. 10.

For more information and application requirements, click here. For more information about the Mantua Greenway project, go here.